A large number of various medicinal herbs are used to gargle with sore throat. But chamomile occupies a special place even in this extensive list. This is primarily due to the fact that her decoctions and infusions are recommended for use in people at any age, including the elderly. In addition, this phytopreparation practically does not have an allergic effect. That is, it can be used even if the patient is allergic to many other substances. Finally, chamomile has a number of beneficial medicinal properties, each of which finds its place in the treatment of inflammatory lesions of the throat and tonsils.
Chamomile effects
All medicinal effects of this drug are based on the rich content of a specific class of compounds called flavonoids. These substances actively interact with the internal environments of our body at the biochemical level and in their structure resemble vitamins. An additional active compound in chamomile is light essential oils. They have some disinfecting effect (which is important for infectious sore throat), and also accelerate the entry of other medicinal substances into tissues, increasing their bioavailability.
Chamomile flavonoids have a very strong anti-inflammatory effect, which is especially important for tonsils affected by inflammation. In addition, they reduce tissue irritation and, as vitamin-like compounds, stimulate regenerative processes in the throat mucosa. Another benefit of chamomile is its anti-allergenic effect.
Finally, gargling with chamomile is a good remedy for soft and non-traumatic removal of superficial purulent deposits on the tonsils. Correctly used, the infusion of this medicinal herb dissolves the crusts that form on the glands and serve as a breeding ground for pathogens.
Important! It is impossible to cure a sore throat with only chamomile gargles! This phytopreparation serves as an auxiliary agent, and antibiotics should form the basis of therapy.
How to prepare chamomile infusion?
Recipe number 1
The easiest way to properly make a chamomile solution is to use a ready-made packaged herbal remedy sold in pharmacies. Take 1 bag of chamomile (they look like tea bags) and brew it in 1 cup of boiling water. After the infusion has cooled down to an acceptable temperature, you can gargle with a gargle.
Recipe number 2
If you have a dry medicinal chamomile purchased at a pharmacy, then for self-preparation of the infusion you will need to take 1 tbsp. phytopreparation and pour it with 1 glass of boiling water. Another option is to take 2-3 tablespoons of chamomile in half a liter of water and boil. After that, let the liquid brew and cool down to the desired temperature at the same time. Immediately before the procedure for rinsing the throat, the solution should be filtered through gauze. This will remove all solid components from it, and save the inflamed mucous membrane of the throat and tonsils from mechanical damage.
Recipe number 3
This chamomile-based herbal collection also includes calendula flowers and eucalyptus essential oil. For 1 glass of boiling water, you need to take 1 spoonful of chamomile and calendula, let the solution brew, filter it, and then add 2-3 drops of oil. Stir the oil thoroughly before rinsing. It is not necessary to dissolve it completely, but try to make it get a fine structure.
Recipe number 4
It includes several phytopreparations with a pronounced antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect:
- dry pharmacy chamomile;
- St. John's wort perforatum;
- eucalyptus leaves or an extract from them;
- flax seeds.
Medicinal herbs should be taken in equal proportions, and for every 2 tablespoons of this collection, add 1 glass of boiling water. After infusing and cooling the liquid, strain it and start rinsing.
Recipe number 5
The above-described herbal collection can be modified if the patient has severe sore throat, significant difficulty in swallowing and speaking. In such a situation, 1 tsp should be added to each glass of ready-made, but still hot infusion. light liquid honey and dissolve it thoroughly.
Recipe number 6
At the stage of recovery from sore throat, you can use a mixture of chamomile and oak bark. During the period of acute inflammation, the tannins contained in the bark will irritate the mucous membrane. But when the symptoms subside, they will serve as a good means of preventing recurrence of the disease.
Important! Any infusions and decoctions of chamomile for washing the throat can be used only during the day from the moment of manufacture.
In both adults and children, chamomile with angina can also be used for inhalation. Take 2 tablespoons of dry pharmacy chamomile, fill it with two glasses of boiling water and boil in a water bath for 2-3 minutes. Then remove the container with the solution, bend over it, cover your head with a towel and inhale the rising vapors for 5-15 minutes.
In addition, both rinsing and inhalation will have an enhanced healing effect if you add a few pinches of salt or baking soda to the chamomile broth. In adults, you can also use 2-3 drops of iodine.
If you do not have enough time to prepare chamomile infusions on your own and wait for them to brew and cool, then you can use ready-made preparations. So, for example, a drug called Romazulan is sold in a pharmacy - it is a ready-made extract of chamomile medicinal substances. Simply add it to the hot water and start rinsing right away.
How to flush your throat
- Correctly use the solution warm, but not hot.
- With the liquid in your mouth, tilt your head back.
- Stretch your tongue forward, tighten your larynx, and as you rinse, constantly say something like a dead letter "P".
- Hold your breath - then the liquid will not enter the respiratory tract.
- The duration of one rinse should be about half a minute.
- For one day with angina, you need to perform more than 7-8 rinses. The frequency of procedures, less than 1 time in 2 hours, greatly reduces the effectiveness of treatment.
- Gargling with chamomile and its mixtures with other medicinal herbs can be carried out throughout the course of the disease.
Contraindications
Chamomile infusions and decoctions for gargling are one of the safest types of adjunctive treatment for angina. But, nevertheless, like any other medicinal substance, chamomile has its own limitations for use:
- you cannot use any means containing chamomile if the patient is allergic to it (such violations are quite rare, but not completely ruled out);
- you can not use chamomile for angina to persons with gastritis in the acute phase or chronic diarrhea - when rinsing the throat, some of the solution will still penetrate the digestive tract;
- it is forbidden to gargle with chamomile for pregnant women - this plant stimulates the synthesis of estrogen, which can lead to a pregnancy failure.
